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Growing garlic
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Garlic growing in the vegetable patch
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This herb is truly wonderful in flavour; if things go right in the garden.
Our success with garlic has been mixed. OK, we'll admit that it's been
poor. But this relative of the onion is well worth growing.
Growing conditions
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In subtropical climates garlic is sown in late autumn/early winter
and harvested around 6 months later in summer. In cool and temperate
climates you can try sowing garlic cloves a little later.
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They love sunny well drained beds.
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Make sure you lime the soil before planting
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Garlic prefers soil manured last season. Otherwise use mushroom compost.
Don't dig in manure or blood and bone if you're about to plant.
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In a 4 bed rotation system garlic is
grown with carrots, onions, leeks, parsnips and other root crops.
Garden care
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To plant garlic separate the cloves and plant them 10-15cm (4-6 inches)
apart. Push them plate down so their tops are just below the soil.
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Garlic has very little pest problems. Its strong oil and natural
chemicals repel pests. Which is why garlic spray is a great organic
deterrent for your other vegies.
Harvest time
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When the leaves go yellow-brown stop watering your garlic. Harvest
a couple of weeks later. Leave your garlic out to dry and cure for
3 weeks.
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In the past we've made mistakes by continuing to water the garlic
almost up to the point of harvest. By continuing to water the garlic
the cloves become spongy and rot once harvested. So learn from our
mistakes. I know we will for this year's crop.
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Once the bulbs are thoroughly dried store them (either braided or
in a mesh bag) in a cool, ventilated place away from sunlight eg shed
or garage.
Last updated
13 December, 2008
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